Our Management Team

VERTO is a community owned not for profit organisation

Ron Maxwell

B.Bus (Econ), Grad Cert. Innov Edu & T, GAICD

Chief Executive Officer

Ron Maxwell started with VERTO in 2014 as the Chief Executive Officer. Ron holds a Bachelor of Business (Economics) and has 20 years’ experience in the commercial sector. Ron has served on various boards and is currently a member of the Australian College for Private Education and Training’s (ACPET) New South Wales executive committee, has served as a member of the National Skills Standard Council reference group for the introduction of the new National VET Regulator standards in 2014, and is a member of the New South Wales State Training Services’ Smart and Skilled provider reference group.

Previously, Ron served as Chief Executive Officer of Western College, a regional training provider based in Dubbo, New South Wales. During his time as Chief Executive Officer, Ron reshaped the college to become a recognised and award winning organisation. Amongst some of his accomplishments, Ron was responsible for establishing the Australian Technical College in Central West New South Wales. Ron is also a member of the NSW Skills Board Provider advisory group, has served as a member of the ACPET National VET Committee and is a former Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President and Austen Brown Boog Solicitors advisory board member.

Natalie Turmine

Adv. Dip. Man

Chief Operating Officer

Natalie joined VERTO in January 2014 as the Chief Operating Officer. She is a skilled executive leader with 20 years’ experience in the employment and training industry having managed government funded contracts delivering Job Network, Job Services Australia, Training, Australian Apprenticeships, Indigenous Employment, Harvest Labour, Remote Jobs and Communities Program and Disability Employment Services.

In her previous role as Executive General Manager of Jobfind, Natalie developed and led the $70 million employment, disability, Indigenous and training services business with over 450 employees operating across 130 geographically spread locations. Natalie has both not-for-profit and for-profit experience and is currently a Board Member for CASAR Park Motorsports, and is an Advisory Board Member for the Aboriginal Resource Group, Digi Skills Exchange and Solid 101.

Natalie is also currently a Consultant for NESA International (National Employment Services Association) providing policy and program design, implementation advice, and assisting international governments and organisations in developing or improving the delivery of employment services.

Diana Mudford

B. Bus (Acc), CPA, JP

Chief Financial Officer

Diana joined VERTO in 2003 and has worked in a variety of roles including Business Services Coordinator before moving into a Finance Management role within the organisation. Diana is a qualified accountant and CPA who holds a Bachelor of Business (in Accounting and Business Management). She has 18 years’ experience working in a variety of finance related roles in small to medium sized business including three years working as a Field Advisor for the Australian Taxation Office supporting small business.

Diana also holds a Diploma of Training and Assessment and has 11 years’ experience working in the training industry, including teaching Accounting at TAFE. Diana is responsible for all finance, payroll, fleet and Information Technology functions.

Gemma Gelling

B.Arts (Media and Comms)

Senior Manager, Communications and Business Development

Gemma joined VERTO in 2014 as Communications Manager before becoming the Communications and Business Development Manager in 2015. Gemma is a communications and stakeholder management specialist who has worked in both the public and private sectors in Australia and the United Kingdom.

She has worked across a range of industries including aviation, construction, politics, property development and transport for major domestic and international organisations including Transport for London, Qantas and Westfield. Gemma holds a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of New South Wales and is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws.

Jason Foster

Manager, Australian Apprenticeship Support Network

Jason has been in the employment services industry for 20 years having started in the field with the Commonwealth Employment Service in 1993. In 1986, Jason was part of a group that were the very first trainees in Australia working for the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

Jason was the State Business Manager for NSW/ACT with Mission Australia before starting with VERTO in 2012 as an Apprenticeships Consultant. Jason has been the Manager, Australian Apprenticeships Centre since 2013 and holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Leadership.

Sharna Banks

B.Bus (HR Mgt and Mkt)

Manager, Human Resources

Sharna started with VERTO in 1999 and is now one of our longest serving employees. She has over 11 years of Human Resources (HR) experience and was appointed to the Manager, Human Resources role in 2015.

Sharna has completed a Bachelor of Business with a double major in Human Resource Management and Marketing and is also trained in Workplace Health and Safety, Workers Compensation Management and Training and Assessment.

In her current role, Sharna oversees HR Operations at VERTO. This involves working with the HR Team to develop and deliver innovative HR solutions in the areas of management and supervision, leadership, workforce development, performance, recruitment and selection, conflict management, team building, diversity and change management.

Darren Foster

B. Hotel and Bus Mgt

Manager, Training Services

Darren has worked with and managed both small and large Registered Training Organisations over the past 11 years and has a passion for the education and training industry. In addition to a Bachelor in Hotel and Business Management, with majors in Human Resources and Psychology, Darren has completed additional management and training related qualifications.

Prior to working in the VET industry, Darren was employed for more than ten years for an international five star hotel chain, in various capacities including sales, operations, human resources and senior management roles.

In his current role, Darren manages the Training Services division of VERTO, working to develop and deliver innovative ways to provide tailored training which supports and enhances the community and stakeholders connected with VERTO.

Michael Lee

jobactive Services Manager

Michael is a passionate, outcome driven business leader who is relentless in pursuing excellent results. Michael is a detail oriented, highly adaptable and innovative operator focused on the execution of business strategy and on providing a great customer experience. Michael comes from a hospitality background with 15 years in hotel management, experience in small business ownership and a history in employment services since 2012 when he first joined VERTO as Team Leader for Bathurst. From there he was promoted to Operations Manager, responsible for the Disability Employment Services portfolio in 2013. In 2015, Michael was given the opportunity to manage the Job Services Australia contract and transition period. He played a key role in the initial development of the jobactive contract, working extensively on the 2015 successful tender application.

Rachael McIntosh

Compliance Manager

Rachael started with VERTO as an Employment Consultant in July 2012 in our Port Macquarie site. She then moved into a jobactive and Disability Employment Services (DES) auditing role in July 2015. Rachael has improved VERTO’s internal compliance capability through comprehensive auditing, and by developing and presenting training webinars to other employees. Rachael was promoted to Compliance Manager in June 2017 to cover all compliance and auditing needs across jobactive, DES, AASN and our RTO. Prior to joining VERTO, Rachael has worked in all aspects of Real Estate including gaining her Real Estate Licence and Auctioneering Certificate.